Meet Rachel Gravens | Ceramic Artist & Conservationist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rachel Gravens and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rachel, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
During my freshman seminar as an art major in college we had a guest speaker talk to us about making a career in art. She asked us why we choose to make art and then answered for us “Because you have to.” And that feels pretty accurate. Creating art of some kind has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I had a wonderful art teacher in high school, Amy Lapka, and she helped encourage me that pursuing art could be more than just a hobby. Creating is part of who I am.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My unique style was born out of playing with printmaking techniques on foam and then transferring the patterns onto my pieces. Eventually I began pouring the clay printing medium, called engobe, directly on the foam in big swirls and drips and then rolling my ceramic vessels across the wet engobe to transfer the lines and shapes. This process produces fun, fluid, abstract shapes across my pieces and this spontaneity contrasts the clean, intentional forms I throw on the wheel. This juxtaposition between controlled clean forms and spontaneous funky surface designs is a principal that I also apply to my life. I’m always seeking a balance between control and letting go. Working on farms and in the conservation field, I have moved around and enjoyed a lot of spontaneity and adventure, while also trying to continue making art. It’s been a challenge to find different studios to work in each time I move and make time for the ceramic process while working strange seasonal schedules and long days. But I love finding the balance and getting to do a little bit of everything that I love.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There’s so many great things to do along the front range. I’ve been living in Longmont so I would start off with breakfast at Lucille’s. We’d also have to eat at Long Peak Pub at least once. We’d go up to the Indian Peaks Wilderness to hike through the alpine meadows and around the gorgeous glacial lakes and stunning peaks. We’d go to the Jamestown Mercantile on Friday night for dinner and great live music. I’d also take them to Nederland for Cross Cut pizza. I also love scrambling around the Flatirons and Boulder Canyon, as well as hiking out at Button Rock Preserve. Of course we’d walk around Pearl Street Mall in Boulder and check out all the little shops, and we’d definitely have to go to the Boulder Farmers Market on Saturday morning. It would also be fun to do a couple days in Denver to go to the Denver Art Museum and Meow Wolf. Seeing a great show down at Red Rocks would be the perfect end to the trip.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’ve been lucky enough to work with many amazing artists, teachers, and organizations that have helped shape my work and career. My high school art teacher Amy Lapka who encouraged me to continue studying and pursuing art. My college professors, Barry Barnes and Katherine Fries, and the whole Art and Design program at the University of Indianapolis. They helped me grow so much as a professional artist and shape my own unique voice and style. Also working with the Indianapolis Art Center and the Fountain Square Clay Center, having a space to create and teach and show my work. And a huge shoutout to Brooke and Ross Tuggle for starting the local gift shop, Tuggles Gifts & Goods, in Indianapolis and promoting and selling my work. I’m also thankful for the TinkerMill Makers Space here in Longmont, Colorado for providing studio space and events to sell my work.

Website: https://etsy.me/2RDrLgI

Instagram: R.gravens.ceramics

Facebook: Rachel Gravens Ceramics

Image Credits
Rebecca Zettler